Easy Connect and Disconnect Height Safety Apparatus

Load transfer devices are a form of height safety equipment. Such devices are used to traverse elongated support members (e.g., safety lines or cables). Elongated support members are commonly supported along their length by intermediate support brackets and are used to support loads or persons. For example, elongated support member may be used to support and guide users traveling at an elevated height. Load transfer devices are commonly used to attach to the elongated support member and allow a user to travel along its path and over the intermediate support brackets.

Systems and methods are provided for a load transfer device that includes a first rotary member and a second rotary member, each of which are configured to receive an elongated support member. A retention member extends between the first and second rotary members and is configured to retain the elongated support member between the first and second rotary members. A link body located between the first and second rotary members includes a connecting eye configured to attach a load to the load transfer device. A link blocker is coupled to the link body and is configured to toggle between a first position and a second position. When the link blocker is in the first position, the link blocker allows the load transfer device to be connected to or disconnected from the elongated support member and prevents access to the connecting eye. When the link blocker is in the second position, the link blocker prevents the load transfer device from being connected to or disconnected from the elongated support member and allows access to the connecting eye. The link blocker is configured to transition from the second position to the first position when a force is applied to the link blocker.

In another example, a method of operating a load transferring device includes applying a force to a lower side of a link blocker that causes the link blocker to block a connecting eye of a link body. The load transfer device is rotated around an elongated support member, which causes a retention member of the load transfer device to support the elongated support member and allow accessing of a load to the connecting eye of the link body. A load is attached to the connecting eye of the link body.

A load transfer device can allow a user to traverse an elongated support member and intermediate support brackets along its length. Some load transfer devices may include many parts and require complicated methods of attachment to the elongated support member. Certain systems and method involve parts of load transfer devices that operate independently, mandating that multiple individual parts of the load transfer device be moved to a particular position to operate the load transfer device. Such systems and methods can render operation of the load transfer device cumbersome. Moreover, substantial numbers of parts in load transfer devices can increase the probability that a given individual part will become defective, thereby decreasing the reliability of the device. Systems and methods that require minimal manual movement of individual components and decrease the total number of parts employed may be beneficial.

Systems and methods provided herein, in embodiments, provide simple and fast operation of a load transfer system. Such simple operation may be convenient and valuable to users because more time may be spent by the user performing commercially productive activities. Furthermore, systems and methods provided herein, in embodiments, involve fewer parts than other systems and methods. Such systems and methods of the present disclosure may thus allow greater time intervals between required maintenance due to a decrease in the frequency of failed components. A decrease in required maintenance can decrease costs and increase operating time of users, which can increase profits.

is a diagram depicting a safety line system securing a person performing construction operations at the top of a structure. The system includes an elongated support member. In the example of, the elongated support memberis positioned above the structure. In some examples, the elongated support memberis attached to the structure. For example, a support postmay be used to attach the elongated support memberto the structure. In some examples, the elongated support membermay be attached to the structure by the use of an intermediate support bracket. Intermediate support bracketsmay be positioned along the structureto fix the elongated support memberto the structureat one or more locations. A usermay be secured to the elongated support member. For example, a load transfer devicemay be attached to the elongated support member. An attachment mechanism such as a carabiner (not shown) may be secured to the load transfer device. A usermay wear personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., harness)which can be attached to a lanyardwhich can in turn be fastened to the load transfer device. Because the elongated support memberis securely attached to the structure, the safety line system can secure the userto an area close to the structureand thus protect a userif they slip or fall.

The load transfer devicemakes direct contact with the structural component (e.g., the elongated support member) to which the useris attached. Systems and methods of the present disclosure provide a load transfer devicewhich is reliable and maintains a secure connection with the elongated support memberthroughout operation and that is also easily attachable to and detachable from the elongated support memberwhen it is intended to be attached and detached. Furthermore, systems and methods of the present disclosure provide a load transfer devicethat involves a simple structure that requires minimal maintenance.

is a diagram depicting a load transfer device attached to an elongated support member. The load transfer devicecomprises a link bodyand a link blockercoupled to the link body. The link bodymay include a connecting eyewhich can be used to attach a load to the load transfer device. For example, a carabiner (not shown) can be attached to the connecting eye. The carabiner may be used to secure a person to the load transfer devicevia a connecting strap (e.g., lanyard). The link bodyand link blockermay be positioned between a first and second rotary member. The rotary membersmay each include a plurality of radially projecting petals. In the example depicted in, the load transfer deviceincludes first and second rotary memberswith eight radially projecting petals. However, some example embodiments include rotary memberswith a fewer or greater number of radially projecting petals. The rotary membersmay also include a cover member (not shown) located on an external side of each of the rotary membersand covering a base portionof the radially projecting petals. A recess (e.g., space)may be located between each of the radially projecting petals. The recesscan be used to traverse the intermediate support bracketsthat are placed along the length of the elongated support member (e.g., cable). The spacesbetween the petalsmay allow connection elementsconnecting the support bracketto a support postto be received in the spaces.

If a recessof one or more of the rotary membersis not in register with a bracket leg of the intermediate support bracketas the load transfer deviceapproaches the bracket, contact between a tip of the radially projecting petaland the bracket leg can cause the respective rotary memberto rotate slightly and bring a recessinto alignment with the leg. The first and second rotary membersmay share an axis. An axle (e.g., bolt)may extend through this axis. In addition, the link bodyand the link blockermay also be coupled to this axis and rotate around the axle. A securing element (e.g., nut)can be used to secure the first and second rotary members, the link bodyand the link blockerto the axle. The axlemay include a single threaded end such that a single securing elementcan be used to secure the components of the load transfer deviceto the axel. Alternatively, the axelmay include threads on two separate ends, and two separate securing elementsmay be provided on each end to secure the components to the axel. The load transfer device may also include a retention member, which is discussed further below with respect to. The retention membercan rotate around axis relative to the link bodyas discussed later in more detail.

is a diagram depicting a side view of a load transfer device. In the example embodiment of, the axleextends through the first and second rotary members. The link blockermay be located in an interior cavity (e.g., slot) of the link body. In other examples, the link blockeris coupled to an exterior of the link body. The retention membermay be used to support the elongated support memberduring operation and may also be used to align the load transfer devicewith intermediate support brackets. The retention membermay include a pair of side projections which fit into and are supported by one or more notcheslocated within each of the radially projecting petalsof the rotary members. Each of the radially projecting petalsmay also include a cutout areathat can be used to support the elongated support memberwhen the load transfer deviceis in a first position and the load transfer deviceis rotated about an axis extending perpendicularly to the elongated support member, as discussed further below. This cutout areamay be located in a root portion of the respective petal. In other words, the cutout areamay be located closely to the axle.

In the example of, the load transfer deviceis in a second position, as described further below. In the second position, the link blockermay prevent the elongated support memberfrom moving towards the axleto a point at which the elongated support membercould be accommodated in the cutout areabetween the axleand the retention member. This may be useful during operation because the devicewill remain substantially aligned when traversing the elongated support memberand will provide for steady and reliable usage. The notchesused to support the retention membermay be located further away from the axlethan the cutout area.

is a diagram depicting a load transfer device with a rotated retention member. As discussed above, the retention membercan be supported by notcheslocated within each of the plurality of radially projecting petals. Thus, the retention membercan be rotated around the axleto different positions within the load transfer deviceby rotating to and being supported by different radially projecting petals. Rotation of the retention memberto the position depicted incan allow the elongated support member(not shown) to make contact with the link blocker. Such a position of the retention membermay be advantageous in attaching the load transfer deviceto the elongated support member, as discussed below with reference to. As explained below the link blocker may be moved from a first position to a second position and vice versa. Inthe link blocker is shown in the second position.

is a diagram depicting a cut-away front view of a load transfer device. In the example shown in, the arrangement of the retention memberas well as the link blockerin relation to the link bodyis illustrated. The retention membercan be rotated around axleindependent from the position of the link blocker. The link blockermay be movable from the first position shown into the second position shown inand vice versa, as explained below. The movement of the retention membermay be independent from the movement of the link blocker. The link blockermay include an oblong slotthat surrounds the axle. In the example depicted in, the load transfer deviceis in an upright position. This position permits a top side of the oblong slotto rest against an upper side of the axledue to the gravitational force on the link blocker. A gap in a lower portion of the oblong slotis located under the axle. The link blockermay also include a guidance slot. The guidance slotmay be coupled to a central pinon the link body. The link blockermay also include one or more legsthat can be used to prevent access to the connecting eyeof the link body. In embodiments, the central pincan be used to guide the link blockerto toggle between a first position and a second position, as discussed further below. The guidance slotof the link blockermay be substantially “S”-shaped, as depicted in the example embodiment of. Furthermore, the guidance slotcan include a first end in an interior of the link blockerand a second end exposed to an exterior of the link blocker. In other example embodiments, the guidance slotmay be shaped differently and may not be exposed to an exterior of the link body.

When a force (e.g., an upward force) is applied to the link blocker, the oblong slotmay move upwards relative to the axle. The force may be provided, for example, by pressing the load transfer device against the elongated support member. Simultaneously, the central pinmay guide the link blockerto rotate and move upwards relative to the link body. In the example depicted in, the central pinwill guide the link blocker, which is in the second position in, to rotate clockwise relative to the link body. Thus, the legof the link blockermay move to a position that obstructs access to the connecting eye. This position may be a referred to as a first position. When the load transfer deviceis in this first position, a lower side of the link blockermay be sufficiently close to the axleto allow the elongated support memberto enter into the cutout areawhen the deviceis rotated when in contact with the elongated support member.

is a diagram depicting a front view of a first position of a load transfer device.collectively depict an example process by which the load transfer devicemay be attached to the elongated support member. As shown in, when a force (e.g., an upper force) is applied to the link blocker, the oblong slotmoves upward relative to the axleto get into the first position. A lower side of the oblong slotthen rests against the axle. This force may be applied by pressing the link blockeragainst the elongated support member, as depicted by the downward arrowof. As the force is being applied, the central pinguides the link blockerto a first position in which the legof the link blockerblocks the connecting eyeof the link body. When the load transfer deviceis in the position depicted in, a load or carabiner may not be able to attach to the connecting eye. Simultaneously, the link blockercan allow access to the cutout areaby the elongated support member. Specifically, the elongated support membermay attain a position sufficiently near the axleto be at the same or similar level as the cutout areaof the rotary members. As shown in, the retention membercan be rotated to a position in which the elongated support membercan contact the link blocker.

are diagrams depicting a top view of a rotation of the load transfer device in a first position. In the example shown in, the link blockeris in the first position in which access to the connecting eyeis blocked by the legbut the load transfer devicemay be connected to or disconnected from the elongated support member. Furthermore, the top view illustrated indemonstrates that the retention memberis located in an upper position relative to the elongated support member. As shown by the arrow, the load transfer devicecan then be rotated around an axis (not shown) that extends perpendicularly from the elongated support member. In the example of, this axis can be visualized as being located in a center of the load transfer deviceand extending outward through the top of the device.is a diagram depicting a top view of a first position of a load transfer device after it has been rotated about the axis extending perpendicularly from the elongated support member. In the example depicted in, the elongated support memberis accommodated in a cutout areaof the rotary members. In, the link blocker may be still in the first position.

are diagrams depicting the retention member rotating downwards to support the elongated support member. The retention membermay rotate downwards due to an effect from gravity, or the retention membermay be intentionally pushed or swung into a position in which it supports the elongated support member. In the example of, the retention memberis located in an intermediate position in which it is falling downwards to support the elongated support member. In the example of, the retention memberis located in a lower position and is supporting the elongated support member. In the examples of, the elongated support membermay be positioned within the cutout areasof the first and second rotary members, as illustrated above in the description corresponding to. After the retention memberfalls to the lower position, the link blockermay still be in the first position.

are diagrams depicting a rotation of a load transfer device after the retention member has rotated downwards. After the retention memberhas rotated downwards, the load transfer devicecan then be rotated about the axis extending perpendicularly from the elongated support member. In the example shown in, the load transfer deviceis rotated counter-clockwise. This can allow the elongated support memberto be placed directly above the retention member, as shown in. This position can allow the load transfer deviceto travel along the length of the elongated support member.

are diagrams depicting a movement of a load transfer device from a first position to a second position.depicts a front cut-away view of the position of the load transfer deviceafter the retention memberhas rotated to a lower position (e.g., the same arrangement illustrated in). As demonstrated by, the elongated support memberis in contact with a lower portion of the link blocker, which causes the legof the link blockerto block the connecting eyeof the link bodyand prevent attachment of a load to the connecting eye. As depicted by the arrowof, the load transfer devicecan be pulled up, or otherwise caused to move upward relative to the elongated support member.

This movement depicted by the arrowcan occur naturally (e.g., by gravity's effect on either the load transfer deviceor the elongated support member), or can be caused intentionally by pulling the load transfer device. When the elongated support membermoves down relative to the load transfer device, the oblong slotmay move downward relative to the axle, causing the upper end of the oblong support memberto contact the axle. As depicted in, the central pinof the link bodysimultaneously guides the link blockerto a second position in which access to the connecting eyeof the link bodyis permitted. In this second position, an attachment device such as a carabiner can be utilized to attach a load to the connecting eye. Insertion of an attachment device into the connecting eyemay prevent movement of the link blockerrelative to the link body, thereby preventing removal of the elongated support memberfrom the load transfer device.demonstrate how the central pin, oblong slot, and guidance slotoperate in conjunction to seamlessly transition between the first and second positions with only a single part (the link blocker) coupled to the link body. As discussed above,collectively depict an example process by which the load transfer devicemay be attached to the elongated support member.

The load transfer devicemay be detached from the elongated support memberby performing the same steps and methods disclosed above in a differing (e.g., backwards) order. For example, the carabiner or load may be removed from the connecting eyeof the load transfer device. Thereafter, a force may be applied to the link blocker(e.g., by pressing the load transfer deviceagainst the elongated support member). This may cause the elongated support memberto be sufficiently close to the axlethat the cutout areaof the radially projecting petalscan accommodate the elongated support member. The load transfer device may then be rotated about an axis extending perpendicularly to the elongated support member, causing the cutout areasto support the elongated support member. At this stage the elongated support membermay be at an angle of approximatelydegrees relative to the direction of the load transfer device. When the elongated support member is in this position, the retention membercan rotated to an area closer to the link body, and the devicecan be detached from the elongated support member. As demonstrated, removal of the load transfer devicefrom the elongated support membermay not be possible until a load has been detached from the connecting eyeof the link body. In this respect, the device may be “fail-safe.”

is a diagram depicting an embodiment of a load transfer device with a link blocker having two legs. In the example shown in, the link blockerof the load transfer devicehas two legs (,). These legs may surround and allow access to the connecting eyewhen the link blockeris in the second position. When the link blockeris in the first position, a leg (e.g., leg) may block access to the connecting eye. The second leg (e.g., leg) may thus protrude from the side of the link bodywhen the link blockeris in the first position. This may allow a user to support the movement of the link blockerfrom the first position into the second position by pressing the leg into the direction of the link body. The other leg may then be moved out of the connecting eyeto free the access to the connecting eye. In other examples, both legs (,) may block access to the connecting eyein the first position. The particular leg that blocks the connecting eyecan depend upon the shape and orientation of the guidance slot. In other examples, greater than two legs are present on the link blocker. As shown in, embodiments in which the link blockerhas two or more legs may include similar structural aspects as embodiments involving a single leg. For example, a load transfer devicewith a link blockerhaving two or more legs may include a link bodywith a central pin, rotary memberswith a plurality of radially projecting petals, and a retention member.

is a flow diagram depicting a method of operating a load transfer device. The method includes applying a force to a lower side of a link blocker, the force causing the link blocker to block a connecting eye of a link body at. The method further includes rotating the load transfer device around an elongated support member, the rotation causing a retention member of the load transfer device to support the elongated support member and allow accessing of a load to the connecting eye of the link body at. A load is attached to the connecting eye of the link body at. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the steps depicted in the example embodiment ofmay be performed in an order that differs from that shown inwhile remaining within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional steps can be added to the method depicted inwhile remaining within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

While the disclosure has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Further advantageous embodiments of the claimed subject matter become apparent from the following clauses:

1. A load transfer device comprising:

2. The load transfer device of clause 1, further comprising a retention member extending between the first and second rotary members, wherein the link blocker prevents access to a cutout area of the first and second rotary members by the elongated support member when the elongated support member is positioned between the retention member and the link blocker, and the link blocker is in the second position.

3. The load transfer device of clause 1 or 2, each of the first and second rotary members comprising a plurality of radially projecting petals including a notch at a distal portion of the radially projecting petals, wherein the retention member is supported by the notches.

4. The load transfer device of at least one of the preceding clauses, wherein the first and second rotary members have a common axis of rotation, wherein the load transfer device further comprises an axle extending through the common axis of rotation.

5. The load transfer device of clause 4, the link blocker comprising an oblong slot surrounding the axle, wherein the force applied to the link blocker is applied along a lengthwise axis of the oblong slot.

6. The load transfer device of at least one of the preceding clauses, the link blocker comprising a guidance slot and the link body further comprising a central pin coupled to the guidance slot, the central pin configured to guide the link blocker along the guidance slot when the force is applied to the link blocker.

7. The load transfer device of clause 6, wherein the guidance slot is substantially “S”-shaped.

8. The load transfer device of clause 6 or 7, wherein the guidance slot includes a first end in an interior of the link blocker and a second end exposed to an exterior of the link blocker.

9. The load transfer device of at least one of the preceding clauses, each of the first and second rotary members further comprising a plurality of recesses positioned between the radially projecting petals, the plurality of recesses configured to traverse an intermediate support bracket.

10. The load transfer device of at least one of the preceding clauses, wherein the load transfer device is further configured to travel distally along the elongated support member.

11. The load transfer device of at least one of the preceding clauses, wherein the elongated support member is a safety line or cable.

12. A method of operating a load transfer device comprising:

13. The method of clause 12, wherein the force applied to the link blocker is applied along a lengthwise axis of the link blocker, wherein the elongated support member is used to apply the force to the lower side of the link blocker.

14. The method of clause 12 or 13, further comprising rotating the retention member of the load transfer device to expose the link blocker.

15. The method of at least one of the preceding clauses, further comprising traveling

distally along the elongated support member and traversing an intermediate support bracket.

16. The method of at least one of the preceding clauses, wherein the step of applying the force to the lower side of the link blocker further comprises guiding, by a guidance slot, the link blocker to a first position.

17. The method of at least one of the preceding clauses, further comprising removing the load transfer device from the elongated support member, wherein removing the load transfer device includes removing the load from the connecting eye of the link body.

18. The method of clause 17, wherein the step of removing the load transfer device from the elongated support member further includes rotating the load transfer device with respect to an axis, the axis extending perpendicularly to the elongated support member.

19. The method of clause 18, wherein the step of removing the load transfer device from the elongated support member further includes rotating the retention member to a first position that exposes the link blocker.

20. The method of one of the preceding clauses, wherein the elongated support member is a safety line or cable.

The features disclosed in above specification, the claims and the figures can be essential for the claimed subject matter in its different embodiments both separately as well as in any combination.